Cookies

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click accept my preferences we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on our website. Visit our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy for more information about managing your cookies.

Sign In

Confirm

Ministry of Defence launches online wellbeing resource pilot

17 March 2015

A new wellbeing project pilot launched by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is aiming to help to support performance through promoting positive mental health among military personnel.

In this pilot, specific military and civilian employees will be given access to SilverCloud Health resources and support as part of an online psychological wellness resource centre developed in partnership with the clinical team at the MoD.

The MoD has a long history of providing employee solutions to promote positive mental health, and was keen to find a project partner who could provide a secure, anonymous platform for delivering wellbeing support to those members of staff who may experience barriers to accessing conventional help.

Air Marshal Paul Evans QHP RAF, Surgeon General, said: "The SilverCloud wellbeing project will be innovative and potentially valuable resource. The participation and feedback from staff will help shape future provision in this area.”

SilverCloud programmes will be able to support the MoD’s anti-stigma campaign by being accessible 24/7, easy to complete and include written topics, videos, quizzes etc. to suit different learning styles. The flexible and anonymous platform will also deliver resources and programmes that draw on a range of psychological approaches to support resilience and support performance under pressure. It will include an online LifeBalance programme, which provides tools and tactics to manage stress and bring balance back into the lives of military personnel.

A spokesperson for the Defence Medical Services added: "The MoD is looking at innovative ways to provide additional levels of support to assist people in maintaining a healthy balance between the demands of their personal and professional lives. The pilot project with SilverCloud is exploring what additional benefit an online platform can bring to an existing portfolio of employee wellbeing support.”

Another key benefit is that the SilverCloud platform offers personnel the facility to interact with a human supporter, who monitors progress and offers encouragement in a weekly review; this ensures that users get the most out of the platform.

Ken Cahill, CEO of SilverCloud Health, said: “We are excited to be working on this project the Ministry of Defence has worked closely with us to tailor platform resources and programme content to their specific needs. Aside from stress support, there are lots of useful resources covering day-to-day challenges and advice on how to handle them.”